comrie44 writes "Just a few points on Canada's Pacific coast team, the Sedins and Bertuzzi namely.
SEDINS
Okay, I'll admit it, the Canucks are a one line team. You shut down the big line of Sedin/Sedin/King and you beat the Nucks. For those who haven’t been following the Canucks this season, the Twins and rookie/Newfie Jason King have combined for 16 points in this young campaign. Who'd of thought that 7 games in and Daniel Sedin, the 2nd overall pick in the 1999 entry draft and supposed bust has 7 points to lead the 2nd highest scoring team in the league last year in points. Danny and Hank have carried the momentum from their strong play at last seasons end into this year. I know it's early, but if the Sedins keep this up and the big line gets back on track the Canucks won't be an easy team to beat.
JASON KING & MANITOBA
The Newfoundland native is currently 2nd among rookie scorers with 5 points and 3 goals. There's still a chance the 7th round draft pick can be sent down so I won't start with the Calder nominee talk. King isn't an especially skilled player, but he seems to have that Luc Robitaille-esque quality of being in the right place at the right time, which makes him an ideal linemate for the twins.
In other Moose news, Sergei Fedorov has been playing like his brother and vice versa. Big Fedor currently leads the A in scoring with 5 goals and 11 points through 7 games, while Sergei just recently recorded his 1st goal in Anaheim. Rookies Ryan Kesler and defenseman Kirill Koltsov have also been impressive.
The RJ Umberger talks seem to have come to an impasse, unfortunate to be sure, as King, Koltsov, Kesler, Fedorov and Tomas Mojzis have leaped the former Hobey Baker candidate on the depth charts. If he goes unsigned he can become a UFA and the Canucks will recieve only a 2nd round pick in return, which does not seem adequate for a player of RJ's potential.
TODD BERTUZZI TO GET HIS KWAN
By all means contract talks with 1st team all-star Todd Bertuzzi seem to be going well, with Brian Burke scheduled to meet owner John McCaw in New York to discuss terms of the deal, said to be a 3-year 24 million dollar contract. That would average out to around 7.5 million a year, making him the highest paid Canuck. While you could argue that no athlete should collect such a sum, 7.5 sounds more than fair for a player of Todds calibre, who could of easily demanded and received more than that (take note Gaborik).
Bertuzzi, with only 3 points on the season, showed that his value exceeds the scoresheet in last nights game v.s. St Louis. Screening Osgood on Ohlunds goal and then turning the game in the Canucks favour with a hit on Barret Jackman. The shoulder check, that has to be considered the 'hit of the year' so far, knocked the Bert-shadowing sophomore into the middle of next week. Todd then continued to walk away after a Pronger clothesline that won the Canucks the game.
"
PLAYER NEWS
Roberto Luongo, G
2010/09/02: The New York Post is reporting that the NHL could void the contract of Roberto Luongo as early as Friday. The NHL would also not allow the potential contract of Ilya Kovalchuk the report says if the NHLPA is not willing to change some parts of the existing CBA to avoid front-loading long-term contracts. It is reported that the NHL wants to count only the years of a contract before the age of 40 towards the salary cap and negotiations are on-going. Luongo signed a 12-year/$64 million contract extension a year ago and the contract kicks in this season as he still had a year remaining on his old deal. The article also states that the Marian Hossa contract is still being investigated.Should both sides finally come to an agreement, the Kovalchuk, Luongo and all other deals will be grandfathered in. Stay tuned as this story is far from over. (Source: New York Post)
Jeff Tambellini, LW
2010/09/01: Jeff Tambellini's goal going into training camp is to win a spot on Vancouver's third line. Raffi Torres and Manny Malhotra are projected to occupy two-thirds of the third line. "When you look at teams that have won the last couple of years they all have that scoring element on that third line, somebody like Tyler Kennedy in Pittsburgh," said Tambellini. He's been a great scorer at the AHL level, but he's never lived up to his potential in the NHL. He has just 18 goals and 46 points in 180 career NHL games. We wouldn't count on him having any fantasy value in 2010-11. (Source: Vancouver Province)
Alexandre Bolduc, C/LW
2010/09/01: Alexandre Bolduc is eager to fight for a roster spot during the Canucks' training camp. Bolduc has a chance to make the team as a fourth line center. He might also help the Canucks' kill penalties if he plays at the NHL level. Bolduc had a chance to make an impression with the Canucks last season, but he was limited to just 15 games due to a shoulder injury. (Source: Vancouver Sun)
Victor Oreskovich, RW
2010/08/31: Victor Oreskovich will vie for a bottom-six forward spot with the Canucks at training camp. However, there is a strong chance that Oreskovich may end up starting the year in the minors as well. He came over in a trade with Florida at the 2010 Entry Draft, along with defenseman Keith Ballard, in exchange for Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner and the 25th overall pick. The 24-year-old posted six points in 50 games with the Panthers in 2009-10. (Source: Vancouver Sun)
Kevin Bieksa, D
2010/08/29: The signing of Raffi Torres at a reasonable price has seemed to ease the need to trade defenseman Kevin Bieksa for a top-six forward. It now seems more likely that Bieksa will start the 2010-11 season in Vancouver as the Canucks no longer view him as a trade chip and they can fit him within the team's salary cap due to the injuries to Sami Salo and Alex Burrows. Bieksa may still be moved once Burrows and Salo return later in the season, but for the immediate future Bieksa will remain a Canuck. (Source: Vancouver Sun)
Raffi Torres, LW
2010/08/28: The Vancouver Canucks signed Raffi Torres not only for his scoring ability but also for his physical presence. "That is a big part of my game, being a guy who will finish hits and try to change the momentum of a game at some point. Whatever they need me to do, I'll do. I'll sit down with (coach) Alain Vigneault when I get there and I'm sure he will let me know what he expects out of me. But I think I know what I need to bring." Torres could factor into the Canucks' power play at some point this season, elevating his fantasy status. Keep an eye on his progress; he could be worth stashing on the bench. (Source: Vancouver Sun)
Roberto Luongo, G
2010/08/25: Vancouver GM Mike Gillis will speak to Roberto Luongo about the team's captaincy closer to the start of training camp. There has been a great deal of speculation and rumor that Luongo will no longer be the Canucks' captain and that the 'C' will eventually find its way to Henrik Sedin. We'll keep you posted. (Source: Vancouver Sun)
Raffi Torres, LW
2010/08/25: Raffi Torres has signed one-year, $1 million deal with the Canucks. Torres posted 19 goals and 36 points in 74 games last season with Columbus and Buffalo. He adds grit and size to the Vancouver forward group, which was something wanted to do this off-season to better prepare themselves for the playoffs. Torres is slated to play on the third line, but he may move up to play with the Sedin twins with Alex Burrows expected to start the year on the sidelines due to shoulder surgery. Keep an eye on him at training camp to see where he will end up on opening night. (Source: Vancouver Sun)
Raffi Torres, LW
2010/08/25: The Vancouver Canucks have reportedly signed Raffi Torres. The contract is believed to be a one-year, $1 million deal, according to Sportsnet. Stay tuned for confirmation and further details. (Source: Vancouver Province)
Alexandre Burrows, RW/LW
2010/08/25: Alex Burrows is projected to start the 2010-11 season on injured reserve due to off-season shoulder surgery. The gritty winger underwent the procedure in June to repair a torn labrum and he may not be available to return until November or possibly December. We will keep you updated on any confirmation of his status when we hear anything. (Source: Vancouver Province)
The nick name thrown out there is "the mattress line" - Twins and a king
Their forecheck and ability to contain the puck has been excellent AND they've been getting the puck to the net, plus they're a better unit on the powerplay than the big line early this season.....what the hell is going on???
note - Fedor Fedorov leads the AHL in scoring with 11 pts in 7 games.
Re: Canuck notes (Score: 1) by DTierney86 on Friday, October 24 (User Info | Send a Message)
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - J. Sedin (;P)
This line has been awesome so far this year. I went to the St. Louis game and I watched this line very closely every shift. They are so awesome in the opposite zone it makes you laugh. cycle..cycle..cycle..cycle...pass...pass..goal *dusts hands*
